Milestones – One Millionth Porsche 911

In Zuffenhausen the one-millionth 911 sports car model has left the production line – a 911 Carrera S in “Irish Green,” which was not popular on the original 911 in 1963. The two-door performance car remains the most important reputational model as Porsche maintains its position as one of the most significant car manufacturers in the world – even though sales of trucks and sedans now provide most its profits.

The one-millionth 911 will not be sold. Before it moves on to join the collection at the Porsche Museum, it will take a world tour -including sprints in the Scottish Highlands, around the Nürburgring, and events in the USA, and China. This remains a selling or leasing business.

Ferdinand Porsche: His first model was the successor to the 356 – the Porsche 911.

Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG, said, “54 years ago, I was able to take my first trips over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road with my father. The feeling of being in a 911 is just as enjoyable now as it was then. That’s because the 911 has ensured that the core values of our brand are as visionary today as they were in the first Porsche 356/1 from 1948.”

The Porsche 911 arguably created a new category and remains a premium sports car despite its rear engine design – that critics pointed out was like a trying to throw a dart backwards at high speeds. Electronic controls have tamed the beast. During 2016, 32,365 911s were delivered worldwide – a record. More than 70% of all Porsche cars ever built are driveable today – it’s said – a tribute to their owners’ deep pockets. Recently, the Porsche 911 is at the top of quality rankings such as the “Initial Quality Study” from the U.S. market research firm J.D. Power.

The mythology of the Porsche 911 – unquestionably – has been fostered by its racing successes. No other sports car embodies this success quite like the 911, according to the German automaker. (Well that ignores a red prancing stallion brand known as Ferrari, in AutoInformed’s view). The Steve McQueen movie with him driving a Porsche at Le Mans is one of the best racing movies ever filmed (Le Mans (1971) . It’s an exquisite scripted and shot drama, but is so technically accurate it could be characterized as a racing documentary.

Porsche claims it has never strayed from the concept of the original 911. “But we have continued to enhance the technology of the 911, refining and perfecting the sports car,” says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG, “that’s why it remains a state-of-the-art and technically innovative vehicle. We have also been able to expand the model line very successfully through derivatives.”

One significant factor in this success is the production site at the headquarters in Zuffenhausen, where all 911s ever built have been manufactured. Today, all two-door cars – 911, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman – and their various derivatives are handled on one assembly line. The people – some of the Turkish “guest workers” are capable of 200 different operations.

Uwe Hück, Chair of the Group Works Council of Porsche, says: “I cannot imagine the success story of the 911 without our unique Porsche employees. Today, we have the one-millionth 911. The good thing about it is that our colleagues still make them with the same devotion as the first car.”

The one-millionth 911 will not be sold. Before it moves on to enrich the collection at the Porsche Museum, it will embark on a world tour and will take road trips in the Scottish Highlands, around the Nürburgring, and in the USA, China, and beyond.

About Ken Zino

Ken Zino is an auto industry veteran with global experience in print and electronic media. He has auto testing, marketing, public relations and communications expertise garnered while working in Asia, Europe and the U.S.